Premier Centre for the Arts performers sing for a good cause

The Premier Centre for the Arts will help to lighten the burden for needy kids who desire to grow their skills in the performing arts with its fourth musical revue/fundraiser event “Cabaret Nick” this Friday.

The Premier Centre for the Arts will help to lighten the burden for needy kids who desire to grow their skills in the performing arts with its fourth musical revue/fundraiser event "Cabaret Nick" this Friday.

"Cabaret Nick" will feature 20 songs, from radio hits to Broadway numbers, performed by more than a dozen youth and adult performers for approximately an hour and a half. A few selections will include "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" from the Broadway musical "Jersey Boys" and Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."

Scholarship fund benefit

The fundraiser is designed to raise money for PCA's scholarship fund for students interested in attending PCA classes — which includes dance, singing and theatre — but can't afford them. Proceeds for "Cabaret Nick" will benefit the scholarship fund.

The scholarship was born out of the desire to keep kids involved in the arts, despite the challenges their families are facing in this tough economy, said Nick Manerchia, 23, of Newark, who's both the namesake and director of the event. And while every applicant may not receive a full scholarship for their classes, Manerchia said the majority of PCA's previous applicants have each received some amount of funding.

How to apply for scholarship

Needy students can apply for a scholarship by writing a 500-word essay explaining the courses they'd like to enroll in, the reason they're interested in the classes, their talent level and why they need the scholarship. Essays can be sent to nickmanerchia@pcade.com.